Onscreen function execution method for mobile terminal having a touchscreen

ABSTRACT

An onscreen function execution method for a mobile terminal having a touchscreen is provided. The method allows for executing functions of an activated application by a tap on a specific area of the touchscreen. An onscreen function execution method of the present invention includes mapping active regions of the touchscreen to functions of at least one application, displaying an application screen in response to an application activation command and executing, if a tap is detected on one of the active regions, a function mapped to the application activation command. The active regions may include a function execution display region and the applications may comprise a camera application, a music player application, an idle mode screen application and the like. The method allows a user to execute functions of an activated application by tap on the touchscreen.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of a Koreanpatent application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office onFeb. 8, 2007 and assigned Serial No. 2007-0013448, the entire disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an onscreen function execution methodfor a mobile terminal. More particularly, the present invention relatesto a method for executing functions of an activated application bytapping on a specific area of a touchscreen of a mobile terminal.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the advance of computing and wireless technologies, mobileterminals can now provide personalized features with various embeddedapplication programs as well as basic voice communication. These mobileapplication programs include a personal scheduler, a short messageservice (SMS), a built-in camera application, a multimedia player, adocumenter reader, games, etc., such that a user can manipulate varioustypes of user data such as pictures taken by the camera, downloadedstill and motion pictures, text messages, electronic books, ring tones,sound files (e.g., MP3), game contents and the like. Furthermore, themobile terminal can be a mobile phone, a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), etc. enabled by a wirelesscommunication function.

Recently, touchscreens are being widely used as input devices for mobileterminals. A touchscreen allows a user to activate applications andexecute functions by touching icons or elements displayed on the screen.The touchscreen is simple to use and improves user convenience incomparison with a conventional keypad.

However, the conventional touchscreen is limited in its effectivenesssince it requires a user to become familiar with the manipulation ofonscreen icons and menu bars and sometimes requires a series ofcomplicated touch events for executing a specific function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to address the above-mentionedproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is toprovide an onscreen function execution method for a mobile terminal thatis capable of intuitively executing functions of an activatedapplication by a tap on the touchscreen.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an onscreenfunction execution method for a mobile terminal having a touchscreen isprovided. The onscreen function execution method of the presentinvention includes mapping an active region of the touchscreen to afunction of an application, displaying an application screen in responseto an application activation command and executing, if a tap is detectedon the active region, a function mapped to the active region.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a mobileterminal having a touchscreen is provided. The mobile terminal includesa control unit for mapping an active region of the touchscreen to afunction of at least one application and for executing, if a tap isdetected on the active region, the function mapped to the active regionand a display unit for displaying an application screen in response toan application activation command.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparentfrom the following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of atouchscreen-enabled mobile terminal having an onscreen functionexecution method according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an onscreen function execution methodaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating steps of an onscreen function executionmethod according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating steps of an onscreen function executionmethod according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating steps of an onscreen function executionmethod according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructionsare omitted for clarity and conciseness.

Mobile Terminal Having Touchscreen

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of atouchscreen-enabled mobile terminal 10 having an onscreen functionexecution method according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 10 includes a control unit 11,a storage unit 12, a touchscreen 13, a touch signal processing unit 16,a camera unit 17, and a video processing unit 18.

The control unit 11 controls general operations of the mobile terminal.For example, the control unit 11 controls the executing of functions byan activated application program in response to input made by tapping ona specific area of the touchscreen.

The storage unit 12 stores application programs for the mobile terminaland data generated while an application program runs under an operatingsystem. For example, the storage unit 12 stores the application programassociated with function execution and data generated while theapplication program operates.

The touchscreen 13 is provided with a display panel 14 and a touch panel15 installed on the display panel 14. The touchscreen 13 displaysoperation status information and data stored in the storage unit 12 inthe form of various application screens and generates signals inresponse to a tap detected on the touch panel 15. In an exemplaryembodiment, the touchscreen 13 is configured to change the applicationscreen in response to a tap. However, other changes may also occur inresponse to a tap. For example, an application may be controlled by thetap without a change in the screen appearance.

The touch signal processing unit 16 analyzes the signal generated by thetouchscreen and outputs position data corresponding to the signal to thecontrol unit 11. That is, the touch signal processing unit 16 determineswhether a tap is detected on a specific area of the touchscreen andoutputs the position data corresponding to the tap to the control unit11. In an exemplary implementation, the signal is an electric analogsignal. However, other signals, such as a digital electric signal, arealso within the scope of the invention.

The camera unit 17 takes a picture and outputs the picture as imagedata. That is, the camera unit 17 captures still or moving imagesaccording to its operation mode selected by a user. The mode selectionmay be made by a touch on the touchscreen. The camera unit 17 includesan image sensor for converting an object image into an electric analogsignal and a signal processor for converting the analog signal into adigital signal.

The video processing unit 18 processes the video signal output by thecamera unit 17 to be displayed on the touchscreen 13.

The touch panel 15 is provided with active regions mapped to functionsof the application program. If a tap is detected at an active region onthe touch panel 15, the control unit 11 performs a function mapped tothe active region on which the tap is detected.

The application programs may include an image recoding programassociated with the camera unit 17, a music player program, an idle modescreen program and the like that are activated in respective operationmodes, i.e. camera mode, music player mode, idle mode and the like. Asan example, if the mobile terminal enters a music player mode, thecontrol unit 11 activates the music player program such that musicfiles, for example MP3 files, can be played. As another example, in theidle mode, the control unit 11 activates the idle mode screen programsuch that an idle mode screen is displayed on the touchscreen 13. Theidle mode screen program may include application icons representingapplication programs, menu bars for executing functions of theapplication programs, function icons and the like.

The idle mode screen can be configured with frequently executedfunctions of specific application programs. For example, at least one ofa preview function, a focusing function, a shutter release function, asave function and the like can be selected as frequently executedfunctions in the camera mode. In the idle mode, the specific functionscan be presented in the form of application icons on the idle modescreen.

An active region is a region for presenting an execution status of afunction of an activated application program, that is, a functionexecution display region. For example, the active region can be a frameshowing a viewfinder image and a captured image in the camera mode. Inthe music player mode, the active region may be used to show an imageassociated with a music file. In the idle mode, the active region may beused to show an idle mode screen image.

Tap-Based Function Execution

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an onscreen function execution methodaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the control unit 11 links the active regionsof the touchscreen 13 to specific functions of the applications in stepS31. The linkage between the functions and active regions are configuredat the manufacturing phase of the mobile terminal or can be configuredby a user afterward.

If a selection command is generated by touching the touchscreen 13, thecontrol unit 11 controls such that an application program is activatedand an application screen is displayed on the touch screen in step S33.In an exemplary implementation, the selection command may be generatedby touching an application icon on the touch screen wherein theapplication program is represented by the application icon.

After the application program is activated, the control unit determineswhether a tap event occurs on an active region of the touch screen 13 instep S35. If no tap event is detected, the control unit 11 maintains thedisplaying of the application screen in step S33.

If a tap event is detected on an active region, the control unit 11executes a function linked to the active region in step S37. At thistime, a function execution screen can be displayed on the touchscreen 13under the control of the control unit 11.

First Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating steps of an onscreen function executionmethod according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, the mobile terminal operates in a camera mode.

If a camera application is activated, for example by touching a cameraapplication icon on the touchscreen 13, the control unit 11 enables thecamera unit 17. The control unit also displays a viewfinder image 61 ofthe camera unit 17 on a viewfinder region 51 of the touchscreen 13 asshown in a screen image (a) of FIG. 3. The viewfinder region 51 isprovided with a focusing bracket 54 a. At this time, the touchscreen 13presents function icons 53 and a menu bar 52 associated with the cameraapplication program. In an exemplary embodiment as illustrated, thefunction icons 53 are arranged at the right side of the touchscreen 13and the menu bar 52 is arranged at the bottom of the screen 13. Ofcourse, it is noted that the function icons 53 as well as the menu bar52 may be arranged at any of the sides of the screen or locatedelsewhere on the screen. Alternatively, the function icons 53 and menubar 52 may be displayed on another screen.

If a tap is detected at the viewfinder region 51, the control unit 11locks the image 61 for a predetermined time (N seconds, where N is areal number) as shown in screen images (b) and (c) of FIG. 3. Finally,the control unit 11 records the viewfinder image 61 as a captured image62 as shown in screen image (d) of FIG. 3. At this time, the capturedimage 62 is displayed in the viewfinder region 51 and function icons 55associated with processing the captured image 62 are presented at theleft side of the touchscreen 13 (for example, an image transmissionfunction icon, an image enlargement function icon and the like).

If a tap is detected on the captured image 62, the control unit 11controls such that the viewfinder image 61 is shown in the viewfinderregion 61 as shown in the screen image (a) of FIG. 3.

In order for a user to recognize the function execution status in thecamera mode, the focusing bracket can be presented in a different manneras illustrated by 54 a, 54 b, and 54 c in images (a), (b) and (c)respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the function execution statusof the camera mode is indicated by markings of the focusing bracket 54a, 54 b, and 54 c as shown in the screen images (a), (b), and (c) ofFIG. 3. When the captured image is displayed, no focusing bracketappears as shown in screen image (d) of FIG. 3.

In this manner, the series of steps from focusing to recording an imagecan be performed using a series of tapping actions on the touchscreen.That is, the frequently used functions including focusing, capturing,and storing an image can be intuitively performed by simply usingtapping actions.

Although a series of commands are individually executed by each tap inthis exemplary embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto.For example, the onscreen function execution method can be implementedsuch that a series of commands are executed by a single tap. In thiscase, the commands are executed in a sequential order and the focusingfunction can be omitted.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating steps of an onscreen function executionmethod according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. In this exemplary embodiment, the mobile terminal operates ina music player mode.

If a music player application is activated, for example by touching amusic player application icon, the control unit 11 plays a music fileand presents an image 77 associated with the music file in a main imageregion 71 as shown in screen images (a) and (b) of FIG. 4. At this time,the touchscreen 13 presents function icons 73 and a menu bar 72associated with the music player program. In this exemplary embodiment,the function icons 73 are arranged at the right side of the touchscreen13 and the menu bar 72 is arranged at the bottom of the touchscreen 13.It is again noted that the function icons 73 as well as the menu bar 72may be arranged at any of the sides of the screen or located elsewhereon the screen. Alternatively, the function icons 73 and menu bar 72 maybe displayed on another screen.

As illustrated in image (b) of FIG. 4, if a predetermined time (Nseconds, where N is a real number) is elapsed, the function icons 73disappear and an arrow tip 75 for recalling the function icons 73appears on the right side of the screen. Another arrow tip 74 may appearat a left side of the touchscreen 13 and is provided for callingavailable music files or a music album and indicates that a music fileis playing. Of course, although arrow tips are illustrated, this ismerely exemplary, as is the location of the arrow tips.

If a tap is detected at the main image region 71, the control unit 11pauses playing the music file and shows a text “Pause” in the main imageregion 71 as shown in a screen image (c) of FIG. 4.

If a tap is detected while the music is paused, the control unit 11plays the music file again as shown in the screen image (a) or (b).

In this manner, the user can stop or play the music file by tapping onthe touchscreen 13 in the music player mode. That is, starting andstopping playback of a music file can be intuitively controlled bytapping the touchscreen. It should be noted that while the aboveexemplary embodiment has described a feature wherein a music file ispaused or played depending on a tap on the touchscreen, this is only anexample of the present invention. A tap on the touchscreen may be usedto control other or additional functions in the music player mode. Forexample, a tap may be used to forward or rewind through a playing musicfile, to skip to the next or previous file, to skip to the next orprevious album, or other features as a user may desire to incorporate.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating steps of an onscreen function executionmethod according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. In this exemplary embodiment, the mobile terminal operates inthe idle mode.

While the mobile terminal operates in the idle mode, the control unit 11displays an idle mode screen 82 having a growing point or displaystarting point 83 in a display region 81 as shown in a screen image (a)of FIG. 5. The starting point 83 is located at a center of the idle modescreen 82. At the bottom of the touchscreen 13, a clock 84, a calendar,a music player icon and the like may be arranged. Although not shown inFIG. 5, the calendar and music player icon as well as the clock 84 canbe presented in a sequential order.

If a tap is detected at the starting point 83 on the touchscreen 13, thecontrol unit 11 controls such that application icons 85 appear on thedisplay region 81 as shown in a screen image (c) of FIG. 5. In anexemplary implementation, the applications represented by theapplication icons 85 are frequently used applications. The applicationicons may include a primary application icon 86 positioned at the centerof the touchscreen 13 and secondary application icons 87 arranged aroundthe primary application icon 86. In the illustrated example of screenimage (c), the primary application icon 86 is a main menu icon and thesecondary application icons 87 include a camera application icon, musicplayer icon, message service icon, and voice communication icon.

Of course, different icons and a different number of icons may bedisplayed in various arrangements beyond the arrangement illustrated inimage (c) of FIG. 5. For example, in the illustrated exemplaryembodiment, each application icon has a rectangular shape and thesecondary application icons 87 are arranged along the four side of theprimary application icon 86. However, the application icons can bemodified in shape and arranged in different formation. For example, theapplication icons can be provided in the form of grid, rings, eclipses,circles, or polygons. Moreover, the number and types of icons, includingthe functions they represent, may be chosen and set by the user.

Although not shown in FIG. 5, if a touch is detected on an applicationicon, the control unit 11 activates an application program representedby the application icon.

Certain aspects of the present invention can also be embodied ascomputer readable code on a computer readable recording medium. Acomputer readable recording medium is any data storage device that canstore data which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examplesof the computer readable recording medium include read-only memory(ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppydisks, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves (such as datatransmission through the Internet). The computer readable recordingmedium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems sothat the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributedfashion. Also, functional programs, code, and code segments foraccomplishing the present invention can be easily construed byprogrammers skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood thatmany variations and/or modifications of the basic inventive conceptsherein taught which may appear to those skilled in the present art willstill fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, asdefined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

As described above, the onscreen function execution method of thepresent invention allows for intuitively executing functions ofapplication programs by tapping icons representing the functions on atouchscreen, resulting in improvement of user convenience.

1. An onscreen function execution method for a mobile terminal having atouchscreen, the method comprising: mapping an active region of thetouchscreen to a function of at least one application; displaying anapplication screen in response to an application activation command; andexecuting, if a tap is detected on the active region, the functionmapped to the active region.
 2. The onscreen function execution methodof claim 1, wherein the active region comprises a function executiondisplay region.
 3. The onscreen function execution method of claim 1,wherein the at least one application comprises a plurality ofapplications and each application comprises one of a camera application,a music player application and an idle mode screen application.
 4. Theonscreen function execution method of claim 3, wherein a plurality ofactive regions of the touchscreen are respectively mapped to a pluralityof functions of the camera application and wherein the plurality offunctions of the camera application comprise at least one of aviewfinder function, a focusing function, a capture function and a savefunction.
 5. The onscreen function execution method of claim 4, whereinat least one of the plurality of active regions comprises at least oneof a function execution display region for displaying a viewfinder imageand a captured image.
 6. The onscreen function execution method of claim5, wherein the displaying of the application screen comprises presentinga viewfinder image in the function execution display region.
 7. Theonscreen function execution method of claim 6, wherein the executing ofthe function comprises: capturing, if a tap is detected on the functionexecution display region, the viewfinder image; and displaying, if a tapis detected on the viewfinder image, a captured image.
 8. The onscreenfunction execution method of claim 7, wherein the executing of thefunction comprises: focusing, if a tap is detected on the functionexecution display region, the viewfinder image; and capturing, if a tapis detected on the viewfinder image, the viewfinder image.
 9. Theonscreen function execution method of claim 3, wherein a plurality ofactive regions of the touchscreen are respectively mapped to a pluralityof functions of the music player application and wherein the pluralityof functions of the music player application comprise at least one of aplayback function and a pause function.
 10. The onscreen functionexecution method of claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality ofactive regions comprises an image display region associated with a musicfile.
 11. The onscreen function execution method of claim 10, whereinthe displaying of the application screen comprises displaying an imageassociated with a playing music file in the image display region. 12.The onscreen function execution method of claim 11, wherein theexecuting of the function comprises: stopping, if a tap is detected onthe image display region, the playing of the music file; and replaying,if a tap is detected on the image display region again, the music file.13. The onscreen function execution method of claim 3, wherein aplurality of active regions of the touchscreen are respectively mappedto a plurality of functions of the idle mode screen application andwherein the plurality of functions of the idle mode screen applicationcomprise an application activation function with an application icon.14. The onscreen function execution method of claim 13, wherein at leastone of the active regions comprises an idle mode image region fordisplaying an idle mode image.
 15. The onscreen function executionmethod of claim 14, wherein the idle mode image comprises a displaystarting point.
 16. The onscreen function execution method of claim 15,wherein the displaying of the application screen comprises displaying,if a tap is detected on the display starting point, application icons onthe idle mode image region.
 17. The onscreen function execution methodof claim 16, wherein the display starting point is displayed at a centerof the idle mode image region.
 18. The onscreen function executionmethod of claim 17, wherein the application icons comprise a primaryapplication icon positioned on the display starting point and secondaryapplication icons positioned around the primary application icon. 19.The onscreen function execution method of claim 18, wherein the primaryapplication icon represents a main menu icon, and the secondaryapplication icons comprise at least one of a camera application, a musicplayer application, a message application and a voice communicationapplication.
 20. A mobile terminal having a touchscreen, the mobileterminal comprising: a control unit for mapping an active region of thetouchscreen to a function of at least one application and for executing,if a tap is detected on the active region, the function mapped to theactive region; and a display unit for displaying an application screenin response to an application activation command.